Platen equipment for type-writing machines.



a 4 STEPHENSON. I 1

' PLATENBQUIPMENT FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES. I

I I A. AFELIOATIONjILBD JUNE 3, 1912. 1.128382; I r

. Patented E5116, 1915.

' 8 SHEETS-SHEET 1 mmszvroie) ELAN. STEPHENSON PLATEN- BQUIPMENTEFOR TII WRITING MACHINES. V K APELIGATION FILED JUNE-3,1912] 1,128,882, Patented Feb. 16, 9 5.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

, 126" Y 7 116- 101 I I di- 70 WITNESSES I AAYPPLIOATIONEILED JUNE 3, 1912.

wanted .Fbi f6, 19 5-.

8 BHEETSrSHEE" 4.

WfTNESSES 4 B. N. STEPHENSON. PLAiBN EQUIPMENT FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

- Pat-nted Feb. 16, 1915.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3.1912.

! 'HYT/VESSES E. N. STEPHENSON PLNIEN EQUIPMENT FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

nu F d A 2 8 3 & 2 1

- V LYVEXTO 8 SHEETS-SHEET 6 E.' N. STEPHENSON. PLATEN EQUIPMENT FOR TYPE WRITING MAGHINES.

LLPPLIUATION FILED JUNE 3, 1912.

- Patented Feb. 16, 1915.

BEETS-SHEET 7.

Wing/5555s E. N, STEPHENSON.

PLATBN EQUIPMENT PQR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

Patented Feb 8 SHEETSSHEET a.

' IN PLEA "1'01 STAES EDXVIN NAPIER STEPHENSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T ELLIOTT-FISHER COMPANY, or DELAWARE.

OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION wATEN EQUIPMENT FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

Application filed June 3, 1912.

.Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the platen'equipment of typewriting machines and more particularly to the equipment of the platen of a flat platen typewriter with instrumentalities designed to facilitate certain classes of billing as, for instance, telephone billing, so called.

The structure here shown is designed for use in connection with an elaborate system devised by me to facilitate ledger posting, toll billing and many other operations too numerous to mention, but which contribute to the general object of caring for the recording and billing in telephone and other accounting ofiices.

Generally speaking, one object sought to v be obtained is the production of an efficient arrangement facilitating manifold work in connection with a set bf work elements, one or more of which are of the kind known as folded forms.

To this end the invention consists in equipping the platen with an endless transfer web combined with tension and feeding mechanisms, work-holding and guiding tapes and means for automatically elevating the web, the. whole being combined in a manner to facilitate the displacement and replacement of the work elements and their retention in accurate position for recording.

Another object of the invention is to equip the platen with work clamping and gaging devices associated with means for effecting both the automatic and manual operation thereof under varying conditions of use and adapted to be rearranged for use in connection with different classes of work.

.3 nother object of the invention is to equip the platen with a group of work gages and machine stops adapted to retain the work elements in progressive positions and to arrest the traveling machine in corresponding progressive positions appropriated to diftercnt billing or recording periods Other objects of the invention subordinate Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb-16, 1915.. Serial No. 701,437.

to those enumerated will appear as the succeeding description of the illustrated emnodiment of the invention is developed.

In the accompanying drawingsFigure 1 is a perspective view of a platen equipped in accordance with my invention and showing the typewriting machine supported by the tracks in normal position, the structure being viewed from the rear. Fig. 2 is a plan view of theplaten with the parts arranged for ledger posting or billing and statement work. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the under side of the platen and its equipment. Fig. 4- is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 4-41: of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a similar View on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a section partly in elevation of the rear end of the platen. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the relation of the ribbon and platen when the ribbon is elevated by the raising of the track frame. Fig. 8 is a perspective view designed more particularly to show the work gaging and clamping plates and the mechanism contributing to the operation and control thereof. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the clutch 96 and its associated parts with the clutch disengaged to permit the manual manipulation of the work gaging and clamping plates when the cam lever is held depressed by the machine. Fig. 10 is a detail sectional'view designed. more particularly to show the manner in which the toll bill clamp and the longitudinal gage clamp may be interchangeahly employed. Fig. 11 is a detail view of the clutch-operating handle and its detent. Fig. 12 is av longitudinal section of the shaft 92 and associated parts. Fig. 13 is adetail perspective view of the rails of the track frame, the main ribbon roller and the mechanisms for locking, releasing and raising the rails andfor operating the I'lbr' bon roller to feed the ribbon. Fig. 14 is ,a detail view of the lever 68 and its mounting. Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view of the push rod 48. Fig. 16 is a detail view of one part of the automatic device for releasing the track frame and feeding the ribbon. Fig. 17 is. a perspective view of the platen with the machine head removed. Fig. 18 is a detail sectional view of the front end of the track frame. Fig. 19 is a detail side elevation of the spring drum shown in Fig. 18. Figs. 20 and 21 are detail views swinging tension frame 6 showing the manner .f. e-

roller 16 in the firsck i 5/) detail View showing it e manner of surface,

ing the tape 26 630 the cross bar 5. 8 rearward e pull 011 the lllil) is a detail View of the cam depressing relle; rorm essumecl by which is used fer loll billing. .e 2%. is A, mesirom 'l lie 1 our end 0 sectional View showing the manner of operso she lQllGl'S the tension sting the stop carrying hers 7'5. the track :Er is elevslgeel the u a horizontal section 0f the same mechanism, Fig 26 is a detail perspective of 'ijlll cls. for use in place of the 9O it is desired is do tell billing.

By Way or" premise is may be stat-led tli s the structure hereinafter described is designed with special reference co the equip ment of a flat platen typewriter, e ample shown being'ihe Well known Elliot- Fisherbilling machine of commerce which, as is Well understood in the are, inelu 3 addition to the fiat platen, a machin a which iravels longitudinally of the j on tracks or guides l0 eiieel; line spseir acarrieg'e 5 which Eravels on the frame a transversely of the pisses. to space the WEliZl? effecfieal by acting printing mechanism wli eh me ecl on encl mores with the eerriege. general organize-ties fully slieii'ii iii 1 of the eeeompeiiying lrewines succeedingdescripliion will milierisy with the COfiSiZlllfielQl operation of this Well kiwi-.- chine v A. flat platen 1 peribiellv eoverecl usual .liercl rubber er etiie szii' zeble surface 2 and lies GXlZEIlQlQQ. cliereerei or guides 3 and i r1 see, he

I winging'el the action 0i the spi. iJQDSlGD frame the upper 3"- ,e ribben is siippersed. anal guiclecl lav 1-6 jeurnslecl in the upper r the front iIrIElCl-KGlS. riblmri when elem e reller 17, form? sf she j "the upper Beyeiiel the rem. braclrels 18 are cl anal connected by e :lres are miellll Y ,e, depending from the image s geurneled (l as irs rear W pair of side arms 7 berwe which are extended a 8 and. 9. One end 0" journalerl 011 e SllDIl 10, hevir g e11 enlargee l of Wliicli the trunnion release the tersioii frame. the session frame is clal end. of s short slisil iz one of the from; lireclre'bs steel the casing the d2; this drum is Sli sprr tension frame. Y 18 sp l she shaft antl 6mm res bracket 6 is rigidly e gaged. by av 14*, pi c casing The swingizg sensleii 117113336 elosecl Wi Il'ill'lfi from; email l endless transfer Web or rilfee per and lower runs of which lie c5v posed one upen the other when the frame is in iis eerinel d a (wee rig. e). is 11.3.18 3

35 I one side of the track frame a vertically disi the ledger sheet under the lower run of the ribbon. The rear end of the tape 34 is secured to the platen by a screw, as shown, and its front end is attached to the upper end of a leaf spring 35 which serves both as a tension device for the tape and a raising device therefor. The spring 35 is passed down through a notch in the front end of the platen and is movable vertically to raise and lower the front end of the tape as the lower run of the ribbon is raised and lowered.

Disposed transversely of the platen adjacent to its front edge is a rock shaft 36 mounted in bearings 37 and having three forwardly extending arms 38, 39 and 40. The arms 38 and 39 are connected to the tracks by a link e1 (accommodated by openings in the platen) to cause the track frame to swing up or down as the shaft 36 is rocked. The arm 40 on the shaft 36 plays between two pins 42-and 43 extending from the upper and lower ends of a slide 44.- which carries the spring 35 and is guided in a guide-block 4 5 depending from the under side of the platen." It is intended that the track frame shall have a normal tendency to rise. This tendency is derived from a spring 46 secured to the platen and to an arm 47 projecting from the shaft 36. When it is desired to lower the track frame to its normal operative position, shown in Fig. 4, this may be done by hearing on its front end with suflipient pressure to overcome the spring 46. I prefer, however, to provide at posed push-rod 48 guided in a bearing 49 and connected to the front end of a comparatively long arm 50 extended from one end of a rock shaft 51, journaled in bearing blocks 52 and provided with a short arm 53 connected by an extensible link 54: with an arm 55 depending from the shaft 36. When the track frame is in'elevated position the operator may force down the push-rod 48 thus depressing the arm 50, rocking the shaft 51 and the shaft 36 to cause the arms 38 and 39 to draw down the track frame. The vertical movement ofthe second tape 34 is materially less than that of the track frame, the interval between the pins 42 and 43 providing considerable lost motion for the arm 40, 'so that it contacts with these pins near the o posite ends only of its movement and there. ore imparts only a slight shifting movement to the slide, 44. When the tree frame is depressed it is automatically locked. At one end of the shaft 36 is fixed a locking arm 56 engaging a latch 57 pivoted at its upper end and having its lower end connected by a connecting rod 58 to an arm 59 extended from a transverse rock shaft 60 journaled in bearings 61 and provided at its ends with arms 62 and 63. The

push-rod 64 which extends under the platen and projects at the front end thereof. Normally the lockin arm 56 is engaged by the latch 57 which locks the rock shaft 36 in proper position to hold the track frame de' pressed. If,'ho vever, it is desired to allow the frame to rise, the operator, by pushing upon thefront end of the push-rod 64 rocks the shaft 60 which, through the connecting rod 58, draws the latch 57 from under the locking arm 56 and permits the spring 46 to raise thetrack frame. The latch 57 is yieldingly held in looking position by a spring 65 attached to the arm 59.

In addition to the push-rod 66, which constitutes manual means for releasing the look, I provide an automatic release which includes the arm 62 carried by the shaft 60 and provided at its upper end with the pivoted contact piece 66, designed to be engaged by a vertically adjustable contact piece 67 mounted at the rear side of the machine frame. When the machine moves rear wardly the contact piece 67, if in its depressed or operative. position, will engage the contact piece 66 and swing the arm 62 to rock the shaft 60 and release the latch 57 The shaft 60 affords a journal for a lever 68 connected to the lower end of the ribbon feed lever 25 by a connecting rod 69 and having its upper end connected to the rear end of the push-rod 70 extended beyond the front of the platen. The hub of the lever 68 is slotted, as shown, at 71 to engage a pin 72 projecting from the shaft 60. Whenever the shaft 60 is rocked either by the push-rod 64 or by the rearward movement of the machine, the pin 72 will engage one end of the slotted hub'of the lever 68 and swing'the latter to feed the ribbon. If, after the machine has moved back, it is desired to feed the ribbon any desired distance, this may be done by manipulating the push-rod 70, the slot and pin connection between the lever 68 and the shaft 60 permitting this oscillation of the lever. This ribbon feedingmechanism is provided with a retracting spring 73, which may be connected to one For the posting of each successive month.

machine stops are provided to arrest the machine when drawn forward, in successive predetermined monthly ositions. These machine stops 74 are in t e form'of studs projecting laterally from two stop bars 75 extending along opposite sides of the platen and movable laterall on guide rods 7 6. The stops 74 are screwe into the bar 75 at any one of a series of points determined by series of threaded .openin;s in. her see. these stops are accommodated a consponding series of openings 77 in the side plates on the platen frame. These openings are preferably numbered in correspondence with the months of the year.

When the machine stops 742 are pro iemiedv beyond the sides of the platen they are disposed in the paths of stop plates l8 ce2fried by the machine. inasmuch as she edjustment of dillerent machines is apt to vary, it is preferable to provide the plates 78 with stop screws or other forms of adjustable contact pieces engaging the machine stops. These monthly machine stops are intended to arrest machine in an initial monthly position and must then be withdrawn to permit the machine to be line sgsced in the usual W22 from line to line or the posting medium. It is to permit this alternate projection and Withdrawal of the machine stops that the bars to which they are connect are mounted to move he orally. Disposed longitudinally of the platen is a crank shaft 79- journeled snit- -elole hearings and having cranks 80, 8'2 and 82 in the form of disks. The disks 8% and '82 are connected to the adjacent stop by short links 83 end the disks 81 and 82 are connected by somewhat longer links with the stop her 75 at the other side of the platen. To facilitate the manipulation the shaft 79, the latter is provided at its front end with e thumb Wheel 85. Chviously by turning the Wheel the stops f-l, at opposite sides of the platen, may be withdrawn or projected simultaneously.

Vertically movable in a slot 86 extending transversely of the platen is s, top guide or gage plate 87 having at its upper end a clamp 88 designed to clamp the top edge of the ledger sheet and cut away, as shown in Fig. 17, to accommodate the two tapes 26 and 34. In advance of the slot 86 and extending along the side of the left hand rail adjacent thereto, the platen is provided vwith another slot 89 in which. is vertically movable a gage plate or abutment 90, the upper edge of which is normally flush with the writing surface. The ends of the plate 87 are guided below the platen in hearing blocks 90* and said plate rests upon the ends of arms 91 projecting from a shaft 9:2 having bearings 93 and connected by clutch 9-1 to a somewhat shorter shaft 95, which in ,turn is connected by a clutch 96 with the hub 97 of an arm :20 connected by a link {17' with the short frontcnd of at double cam lever 98. The com lever 98 projects shove the platen and has a cam track 99 which, when engaged by a roller 100 on the nutchinc, causes the swim of the cam lever to rock the shafts 9:; of causing the R-ii'l'lS s, w

arm 1% projecting, rom the sh;

-'lFhi-s ceurs when machine heels. from the Work and results the clamp 88 away from the plo lease the sheet and presenting i as a guide and abutment for top *6 new sheet addition to the dies automatic operating device for the plate 87;, manual operating means fr plsse are provided. This cons; a handle 301 extended from the tr of Q shaft 102 journal-ed in bearings l 104 and having an 105 whicci un fit is obvious that by rocking the syn: 195 will raise the arm 1G6 ing the arm 93. to elevate the plate molly the plate 82 is held depres 1 spring ll)? connected. to e deeen'd off a short 10?) journeled 10 and having an arm Il'll ex It is sometimes desirable to disc clamp-plate 8'! from both the automatic onemting devices, to v 99 and the handle 101, ithet the clutch is provided. this clutch s clutch loves 13413 by s, connecting rod ll? to e cm: rear end of e shaft 17.5, journal elole esrings and parcel ed 5", with e Clzlllli lisndle 1116 c. spring plunger ll? which on' pair of openings in. plate 118 he 7 handle in either of two positions to the clutch 94 either in or out The lower edge of the longitud posed abutment and gorge plate 90 o pair 0;? arms 119 projecting from 120 which also hes an arm 12?. or the arm 106. Thus Wlleihtl'lfi ei'ni ereized either from the mechinso: cam 98 of the handle 10L the plate likewise raised simultaneously with raising of -plase 8?. The positive tion or depression of the plate 99 ed by as spring 12)! acting on :1 hell lever 123, one end of which is conn the spring and the other end of h'lllfi'il jects intoan opening in the plete 9U, hell crank lever mounted to so: a shaft 12- which lies a pin e1 slot in the huh of the lever Thi. the lever to oscillate independently shah-'5 es the plate 90 mores. up and lit the end of the shaft iii-l s crank N26 is provided for the purpose r the shaft 12% a sull'icient distance r the pin 125 to swing the hell crank lex .7 of engagement with the plate a; re stance of the sp t the slate 90 r r slot and toll l =hermtor.

and inasmuch as the toll billing operation requires the use of neither the'plate 87 nor the ribbon, the latter is entirely removed from the machine and provision is made whereby such rearward movement of the machine, as is necessary to remove it from over the toll sheet, effects the automatic operation of the toll clamp but does not effect the release of the track frame. This operative requirement is met by providing the cam 98 with a cam track 127, the effective portion of which lies much nearer the front of the platen than the effective portion or rise of the other cam track 99. The machine frame is equipped with a second roller 128 designed for coaction with the cam track 127 and carried by a pivoted arm 129 which, during'the operation-of ledger posting, is swung up to the inoperative position shown in Fig. 1. When toll billing is to be done, this roller 128 is swung down to its operative position and then when the machine is moved back, said roller coacts with the track 127 and effects the raising of the toll clamp before the machine has moved back far enough to effect the automatic release of the track frame, which, therefore, remains stationary during the toll billing operation.

It is sometimes desirable to manipulate the clamps manually when the machine is at the rear end of the platen with the cam lever 98 held in its depressed position. Ordinarily, of course, this position of the lever would insure the retention of the clamps in their elevated positions. It is therefore necessary to provide means for releasing the clamps from the cam lever so that said clamps may be operated manually while the lever is held down by the machine. This means includes the clutch 96 which is arranged to be operated by a bellcrank lever 130 bifurcated to engage the rear end of the shaft 102 which may be drawn forward longitudinally to shift the bell crank lever and unclutch the shaft 95 from the hub of the cam lever 98 to which one of the clutch members is connected in the manner described. To accommodate as well as to limit the reciprocatory and oscillatory movements of the shaft 102, the rear bearing of the latter is slotted at 103 for the rece' tion of a pin 104 projecting from the she t and for additional security the shaft may be provided with a set collar in rear of the front bearing. When the clamps are ,unclutched from the cam lever by pulling the shaft 102 forward and the machine'isjithrown back to the rear of theplaten, the depression of the cam lever by the machine moves the int'erfitting members of the clutch out of alinement; therefore, when the shaft 102 is released after it has been used to manipulate one or both of the clamping plates, while the cam lever is held depressed by the machine, the clutch 96 will not reengage. This, however, is not materialbecause as soon as the machine again comes forward the retraction of the cam lever to its normal position Will realine the members of the clutch which will snap back into engagement to restore the parts in position forthe automatic raising of the clamp plate or plates when the cam lever is again depressedby the rearward movementof the machine.

What I- claim is:

1. The combination with a fiat platen, of a machine supportin structure mounted to swing relative to t e platen, an endless transfer Web mounted to swing with said structure, a tension device for said web, means for locking the machine supporting structure in normal position, and means for raising said structure when released.

2. The combination with a fiat platen, of a machine supporting structure mounted to swing relative thereto, an endless transfer web movable with said structure, tension mechanism for the web, means for holding the machine supporting structure in normal position, means for moving said structure away from the platen when released, and work-engaging means extended along the edge of the transfer web to engage the work. 3. The combination with aflat platen, of a swinging machine supporting structure, an endless transfer web carried by and movable with said structure, a swinging tension device inclosed by said web, work-engaging means including a tape extended along the edge of the transfer web, means for locking the machine supporting structure in normal position, means for moving said structure away from normal position when released, and releasing means ncluding manually and automatically operated devices'for effecting the release of said machine supporting structure.

4. The combination with a flat platen, of

a machine supporting structure mounted to swing toward and from the platen, an endless transfer web movable with said structure, tension and feed devices for said web, locking means for the machine supporting structure, and operating mechanism common to the locking means andthe web feeding device. I

5. The combination with a fiat platen, of a. plurality of work-engaging devices mov? ab e relative thereto, an operating device for said Work-engaging devices, and means whereby an'operative connection may be established between the operating device and one or both of the work-engaging devices.

the? mime pea 30 the opemxiin 'L The combination xvi e 111' of work-engae. releiive therein epemtmg device for s plates, operating connections in termed of said plates and hhe operating 9 e cofi ectio ns i1 cluding clutches whereby 011e, 530531?! evxiezl her e2 '6. pixies may be con-- Elected :1} ting device a or the ehltcl 1101(1)? siuppezw I iq'l l l Bl pos'izie e mesh 1 sperms LeIeesi" device fer Ci balding ,"efidmecune ape e woy i z-engagm efe 1421M o :35 means fer xeieese 0? e 0, A; $611 he 0i seu srueture. eembmatlon 'wltine fizz" Metal seeps, the gnaebine ape-" devices fol tle led if shew i longitudinally end ple'fien. combine-jinn 'avih a fiat plafien, "3* eff work engaging devices v we iherete operating for sum Work engaging devices, and means froiling the opere'cive relation betwe 11 the said operating mechanism and one 021 said wax-k engz: devices.

13. The combination with a fiat platen e f bhimlity of Wank engaging devices me'vable reign ye iihereto, 0% operating; mech- .1 mechanism W K engefl'ng fie? on "with e p126: Work; engaging ievicee 5 therein, aflop'em I w the work en devieee 1 uuilQS mmrefil gzl'le @permtive z'eie 15 Opera. ns'g' ejiQe egg? the m v n with a fie; meme invafbie fee v A, meaias fer liolding's V pesitipn, e maehl e Qviee for saigli he ic Eng device, and

zembineiefi with e platen, pztingg" structure mcumfied 330 g rele re m the platen, an endlese transfer Wefj neeuinted'to 'swixig with the seifl sm-uetuxie 841d vine; upper end. lewer ra both leee 'iecji ewve platen, & tensien fle- "v said; Web, time 13 fer leaking rfiieg sfiru'c ,ure in mine} pesi :0 13m said e rueture inaiien Wi ih e platen, supporting structure moun zrelative thereto enfiiles's movable 'Wi ah said stmieijure having both its upper and lowe c ed. gzbeye che pleilen tension mechen em ivcfe, means fer holfiidg' t he meehi e rmng structure 121 nergrnei posit-1 1 the z-ame of the Web fiispesed eleseiy a.

r acent E0 each other and be the platen, means v w f g moving said structure away from normal position when released and releasing means including manually and automatically operated devices for effecting the release of said machine supporting structure.

19. The combination with a flat platen, of an endless transfer web having its upper and lower runs located thereover and disposed closely adjacent to each other and to the platen, and means for effecting relative 10 movement of the runs to dispose the same in separated relation.

In testimony whereof I aflix'my signature in presence oftwo witnesses.

EDWIN NAPIER STEPHENSON. Witnesses a EVAN B. LEWIS, L. G. JULIHN. 

